Adding a Traeger Pellet Grill to the BBQ Mix

April 2, 20260 Comments

If you have been a reader of ErikNaso.com, you’re probably wondering what is going on with the grilling and cooking posts. Well, I’m a part-owner of Newsshooter.com with Matt Allard, so if it is cameras and production gear, you will find me there. I have a passion for food, and I have always wanted to share my food journeys, but I never built a dedicated space to do so. Well, here we are. Instead of starting new, I’ll add content here. Hopefully, the site will grow, and maybe you’ll like reading about smoking brisket and the tools and spices for making great BBQ.

I’ve been a food lover and backyard chef since I was a teenager. Growing up, my mom cooked Italian, South American, and American cuisine. Dinner was always a flavourful delight!
My dad wanted to barbecue, and he bought a kettle grill. I think it was a Weber. I was instantly interested in using this thing and learning how to cook over fire. Charcoal and wood chips changed the game for me at an early age, and that has never ended.

Cooking for my family was always fun, and my dad loved pork ribs, so I learned the indirect, low-and-slow method. He loved those ribs. I can see his face now, with BBQ sauce-covered smile. Best of times.

I was very interested in slow cooking and decided to get a Weber Smokey Mountain. That changed everything for low-and-slow. Made so many good ribs and Pork Butts on that thing.

The Gas Grill

Weber Genesis E-415 Liquid Propane Gas Grill, 4 Burner.

If you like to barbecue on weekdays, then a gas grill like a Weber Genesis is a great option. I have a three-burner that is 10 years old and going strong. I have replaced the Flavorizer Bars and the burner knobs, but everything else still looks good and works well. It really is one of the best grills I’ve owned and is a great option. Fire it up, and in under ten minutes, you are ready to grill. I have had at least three gas grills in my lifetime, and the Weber has been a great choice as they are built well and not crazy expensive. You can spend a lot on a fancy gas grill. The Weber is also inexpensive to maintain as parts are ready avaiable.

I should have entered the pellet game sooner, but I already had two cookers in the yard, and the Weber Smokey Mountain was mainly for weekend cooks, so the gas grill was the workhorse. My lovely wife doesn’t want a BBQ man cave-ish backyard.
I’m still trying to use the Traeger on weekdays, and I think it’s a winner for some proteins, like fish. Steaks are still on the gas grill, or pan-seared, then finished in the oven. The only downside to the pellet grill is searing, as most just can’t get hot enough to get that nice browning. Weber has the Searwood, which does both low-and-slow and searing, since it can reach 500 degrees. Very tempting, and still is.

Picking a Pellet Grill

To find the right grill for you their are a few things to consider. An important one is your budget. These Pellet grills are expensive, and their operating costs are much higher than those of propane or charcoal. You can spend roughly 30–40% more on pellets for the same cooking time as with a 20-pound propane tank. You have to clean them more often as the ash builds up and can cause issues. The new Traeger models are much easier to clean and maintain, as they redesigned them with a collection bucket underneath the grill rather than on the side. All the ash and drippings go into one small bucket. With my Pro 575, I had to buy a vacuum to clean out the ash.

I’ve wanted a Traeger for a few years. Why? Well, it was the brand all my friends have, and they love theirs. My dream machine was the Ironwood 650. Since it’s mainly my wife and me, a smaller grill was a better idea. It’s cheaper to operate because they use fewer pellets. For me, the 650 sq foot grill space was fine.

The newish, smaller Traeger Ironwood retails for $2,000, and the larger 924 sq. ft. model retails for $2,200. That is expensive, and you really have to commit to spending that much on a grill. The Woodridge is a less expensive option, but I have read the controller is a bit finicky. I do like the new design, as they look easier to clean and maintain. Trade-offs!

Traeger isnt the only game in town, Pit Boss is a little less expensive, and Green Mountain Grills is a touch more expensive with a better build. The most important thing to consider is how much food you want to cook at once, so you can pick the best size.

Traeger WiFIRE App

Another is wireless controllers. These are amazing. Traeger has WiFIRE, and it works very well. That is a selling point for me. The app lets you set the internal temperature and monitor the grill. You can even shut it down.
Most controllers have one or two wired probe options that also send the temperature of the food they are inserted into to the same app. You set the temperature limit for the meat, and the app will notify you when it hits the limit. It’s wonderful! For long cooks, having the app makes it easy to monitor, and you can be down the street or at work while you’re smoking a Pork Butt for 14 hours and check the cook. Another plus is that the probe is wired and integrated into the app. I do use the ThermoWorks RFX probes as they are very accurate, and don’t have connection issues like some other brands. The downside is you will be using two apps for the cook instead of just WiFIRE. This is a topic for another article.

Buying Used

My Traeger Pro 575, which I bought on Facebook Marketplace for $450. I added new legs with casters.

The other option is buying a used smoker. Yes, they get dirty and grimy, and buying a used one can be a challenge, finding one that is in good condition. I think it’s worth it, especially for your first smoker. This way, you can spend less and see if this smoking game is for you. Traeger still sells replacement parts for several former models at a reasonable price. I was able to buy a set of legs with casters from them to upgrade a Pro 575. It makes a huge difference when moving it around, as it’s very heavy. Check out my article on upgrading the Pro 575 with casters.

Used Traeger Pro 575 with new stainless steel grates and drip pan.

For several months, I scrolled Facebook Marketplace looking for a deal on an older model Traeger Ironwood 650. Not many popped up, and some were way too “used.” I came across a Traeger Pro 575 that was cleaned up very well and had a new stainless steel grate and drip pan. The price was fair at $450, so I settled, and I’m very happy with it. I finally got a smoker! The Pro models have WiFIRE but doesnt have a Traeger feature called Super Smoke. If I want a lot of smoke, a smoke tube is the best way. On the Pro 575, I can lower the temp below 225, and the grill will smolder more.

Taking care of a pellet smoker is important, as ash can be acidic and cause the grill to age faster if not cleaned frequently. Grease is the other. If you dont clean it, you can have a fire in the hull! Do maintenance, and they will last 10 years or more.

Tradeoffs

5.5lb Spatchcock Chicken with a smoke tube on the Pro 575

I didn’t think the Traeger would be my weekday grill, but I’ve found it can be. It takes about the same amount of time to preheat as a gas grill, and it adds more flavor to the food. I was surprised it doesn’t have a strong smoky flavor, and I’m okay with that, since the meats being smoked shouldn’t be overpowered by smoke. It should add to it. As I mentioned, if I want more smoke flavor, then a smoke tube is a great solution, and I do use them. Yes, a charcoal grill with wood chunks has the best taste, but weekday grilling isnt possible unless you want to eat at 9 pm.

I’m enjoying my Traeger, and I think it’s a great investment if you like grilling. It’s very different than a gas grill but not rocket science. The smoke tubes are essential, especially with a gas grill, as they work very well and add that tasty smoke flavor.

If you are on the fence, I say go for it! The proteins coming from the Traeger are so tasty and different than what you might have had. I hope my experiences help you. Now get out there and grill some tasty meats!

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